by Nosa Eresoyen, Asaba

The Ijaw Youths Council (IJC) of Delta State has alleged sabotage in Gelegele community in Edo State and dismissed palliative measures to addressing the Niger-Delta problems by federal government. 

Mr. Eric Omare, the president of Ijaw Youths Council told journalists in Asaba that Gelegele community the Ijaw speaking community in Edo had not been fairly treated, saying that the ownership of the community if not properly handled, might spell communal crisis. 

But in a swift reaction, the secretary to Edo State Government (SSG), Mr. Osarodion Ogie, dismissed fear of communal crisis, saying that the Ijaws in Gelegele community as part of Edo State have been fairly treated as part of Edo people, and warned against incisive statements that may result to communal crisis. 

“The Ijaws in Gelegele community have problem in Edo and they have not been neglected, the sea port project in Gelegele would be opened up as part of the state government’s responsibility to develop the community that will create job opportunities for all once the seaport project is completed there is a committed handling the project” he added. 

According to the Ijaw Youths Council President, Gelegele community is a highly impacted community which has allegedly suffered great problem of gas flaring and other problems” adding that the people lack basic amenities as empirical evidence to show as part of Edo people. 

Regretting that the Vice President’s visit to Edo State recently did not include Gelegele community to see things for himself, Barr. Omare further alleged marginalization of the Ijaws in appointments and elective positions in Edo State, saying that the alleged uproar that occurred midway into the meeting with the Vice President (Prof. Yemi Osibanjo) should not be handled with pinch of salt, rather strong indication as time bomb. 

“We wish to reiterate our unhappiness, and call on Professor Yemi Osibanjo to at least visit Gelegele community to see things for himself, it is not enough for him to go to cities and hear presentation of people, it will help to address the challenges of the people in rural areas” he added. 

He called on the Vice President to visit Gelegele, the Ijaw community in Edo, as the people hitherto suffer lots of problems, including gas flaring and other health related hazards. 

He named other alleged Ijaw communities to include: Okomu in Ovia South West, Abiala 1x2 in Ikpoba Okha Local Government, saying that nothing to show for their God-given natural resources. 

The IYC President insisted that they were not in agreement with the Vice President’s position that there was no need for dialogue at the ongoing Niger Delta Crisis. 


“Our position is that while the findings tour should be capped up with dialogue between the Niger-Delta people and FG to address the key question of resource ownership, no amount of tour or palliative measure will be enough to address the Niger-Delta problem”  Omare further stated.